Motor control system for a surgical handpiece

ABSTRACT

A system and method for powered surgical handpiece capable of powering various micro-cutting instruments is described. The system is comprised of a controller adapted for controlling/interfacing with a powered surgical handpiece based upon user-defined procedural information. A data entry device is used for entering the user-defined procedural information used by the controller for configuring and operating the motor control system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and incorporates hereinby reference the entirety of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/235,217, filed on Sep. 24, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to powered handpieces fordriving surgical cutting instruments. More particularly, it relates to acontrol system for interfacing with a powered surgical handpiece andcontrolling operation thereof.

[0003] Powered surgical handpieces are commonly used in many medicalspecialties to drive surgical blades or cutting instruments forperforming various diverse cutting functions including resection,comminution, dissection, debridement, shaving, drilling, pulverizing,and shaping of anatomical tissue. In the areas of ENT/head/neck surgery,the handpieces are typically configured for selective coupling to, anddriving of, a variety of different micro-cutting surgical instrumentdesign to perform a specific procedure. During use, based upon thespecific surgical procedure, the surgeon selects the appropriatemicro-cutting tool and mounts it to the powered handpiece. The poweredhandpiece is then operated to move one or more components of themicro-cutting tool (e.g., rotation, oscillation) required to perform thesurgical operation. As a point of reference, the rotational requirementstypically required by a powered surgical handpiece for ENT/head/neckprocedures range from about 500 rpm for a laryngeal skimming operationsto in excess of 60,000 rpm for high-speed drill operations. The commonspeed range of the powered surgical handpiece is from about 300 rpm toabout 80,000 rpm.

[0004] In addition to motor improvements, such as use of brushless DCmotors, overall systems have been developed for use with the poweredsurgical handpiece and related surgical micro-cutting instruments. Atypical system, in addition to a powered handpiece and one or moremicro-cutting instruments, includes a control console and a cable thatconnects the handpiece to the console. The control console is configuredto activate and/or control energization of the motor otherwiseassociated with the powered surgical handpiece. For example, a hand orfoot switch can be provided as part of the system. Depending upon thesurgeon's manipulation of the foot or hand switch, a correspondingsignal is delivered to the control console that, in turn, energizes thehandpiece to a corresponding speed.

[0005] The improved capabilities of powered surgical handpieces, as wellas the vast number of available surgical micro-cutting instruments nowavailable, have undoubtedly greatly increased the number ofENT/head/neck procedures that a surgeon can perform utilizing a singlesurgical system. However, with the substantial expansion in availableprocedures, the opportunity for improper device selection and/oroperation has arisen. That is to say, because a surgeon can now use asingle handpiece with a variety of different micro-cutting instrumentsto perform a number of different procedures, it is possible thatsurgical personnel may inadvertently operate the handpiece at settingsthat are less than optimal for a particular surgical procedure. Forexample, a surgeon performing a laryngeal tricut procedure with amicro-resecting instrument may accidentally attempt to operate thepowered handpiece at speeds well in excess of the recommended 1,200 rpmlimit because the surgeon has failed to adjust the control panelsettings from a previous, different procedure; surgical personnel havebeen unable to recall the preferred settings, etc. Other operationalsettings, such as rotational mode (e.g., forward, reverse, oscillate),irrigation settings, etc., must also be determined and properlyimplemented by the surgical personnel, again increasing the opportunityfor error.

[0006] Powered surgical handpieces, and in particular, poweredhandpieces configured to selectively receive a multitude of differentmicro-cutting instruments useful for ENT/head/neck surgeries, are highlydesirable. However, the enhancement of available features may give riseto unintentional misoperation. Therefore, a need exists for aninteractive powered surgical handpiece control system that controlssurgical handpiece operation while providing information, assistanceand/or control to the surgeon specific to a particular surgicaloperation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a motor controlsystem for a powered surgical handpiece capable of powering variousmicro-cutting instruments. A controller is adapted forcontrolling/interfacing with a powered surgical handpiece based uponuser-defined procedural information. A data entry device enables allowsentry of user-defined procedural information used by the controller forconfiguring and operating the motor control system.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides a surgicalmicro-cutting system. A surgical micro-cutting is used for performingdiverse cutting functions. A powered surgical handpiece is configured toreceive and drive the surgical micro-cutting instrument. A controllerthat operates the surgical micro-cutting system according touser-defined procedural information.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method ofcontrolling a powered surgical handpiece. The system includes acontroller, a control console and a powered surgical handpiece capableof powering a micro-cutting instrument. The system detects whether thepowered surgical handpiece is connected to the controller. Thecontroller is operated to determine whether the micro-cutting instrumenthas been coupled to the powered surgical handpiece. Information andoperational characteristics associated with user-defined proceduralinformation entered by a user via the control console are generated andpreferred operational settings are displayed based upon the generatedinformation and operational characteristics. The system powers thepowered surgical handpiece according to the operational characteristicsassociated with the user-defined procedural information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a powered surgical handpiece controlsystem in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating generally use of the controlsystem of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a warning operationperformed by one preferred embodiment of the control system of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one specific application ofthe control system of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a speed control featureassociated with one preferred embodiment of the control system of FIG.1; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is flow diagram illustrating an application of the controlsystem of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] One preferred embodiment of a powered surgical handpiece controlsystem 10 is illustrated in block form in FIG. 1. The control system 10includes a controller 12, a powered surgical handpiece 14, a data entrydevice 16, a display screen 18, and a speed controller 20. The variouscomponents of the control system 10 are described in greater detailbelow. In general terms, however, the handpiece 14, the data entrydevice 16, the display screen 18, and the speed controller 20 areelectrically connected to the controller 12. During use, the controller12 detects the presence of the powered handpiece 14, and receivesprocedural information from surgical personnel (not shown) via the dataentry device 16. Based upon this information, the controller 12 displaysoperational information to the surgical personnel at the display screen18. Depending upon the particular procedure to be performed, thecontroller 12 may request and receive additional procedural informationfrom the surgical personnel via the data entry device 16 and/or displayadditional operational information at the display screen 18. Once thecontroller 12 has determined appropriate system configuration, thecontroller 12 energizes the handpiece 14 to a certain level that can bea default value, selected by the surgical personnel at the data entrydevice 16, dictated by operation of the speed controller 20, etc.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the controller 12, the data entrydevice 16, and the display screen 18 are provided in the form of asingular control console. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 12is a microprocessor based computer including associated memory andassociated input/output circuitry. Alternatively, a programmable logiccontroller (PLC) or other controller or equivalent circuitry can beemployed.

[0018] The data entry device 16, which serves as a user interface, canassume a wide variety of configurations, and is preferably amembrane-type touch pad known in the art that is positioned in closeproximity to, or integrally formed with, the display screen 18.Similarly, the display screen 18 can assume a wide variety of forms suchas a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display. Regardless, thedisplay screen 18 is configured to provide surgical personnel withinformation relating to operation of the system 10.

[0019] The powered surgical handpiece 14 is preferably of a type knownin the art and is configured to selectively receive and drive a surgicalmicro-cutting instrument 22. Acceptable powered surgical handpieces areavailable, for example, from Medtronic-Xomed of Jacksonville, Fla., andinclude a motor 24 and housing 26. Examples of available poweredsurgical handpieces are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,910,152 and5,957,881 the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference,it being understood that those are but a few examples of acceptablepowered surgical handpieces.

[0020] The surgical micro-cutting instrument 22 can assume a widevariety of forms as known in the art. For example, the micro-cuttinginstrument 22 can be a micro-resecting instrument, a micro-debridinginstrument, a micro-shaving instrument, a micro-drilling instrument, amicro-abrasion instrument, etc. Regardless, the micro-cutting instrument22 is configured for selectively coupling to, and driving by, thepowered surgical handpiece 14.

[0021] As is known in the art, many ENT/head/neck micro-cuttingprocedures require a continuous supply of an irrigation fluid to thetarget site. For example, both micro-drilling and micro-shavingprocedures require fluid irrigation. To this end, the system 10preferably includes a separate irrigation fluid source 30 that isconnected to the controller 12. With this configuration, the controller12 controls activation of and/or the flow rate supplied to the targetsite. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the control system 10includes, or is connected to, a pump 32 otherwise connected to theirrigation supply source 30. Upon activation by the controller 12, thepump 32 directs irrigation fluid to tubing 34 otherwise associated withthe housing 26 of the handpiece 14. As is known in the art, the tubing34 is preferably fluidly connected to a corresponding portion of themicro-cutting instrument 22 that otherwise directs the irrigation fluidto the target site. One example of an acceptable configuration isprovided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,152. Alternatively, or in addition, thefluid irrigation supply source 30 can be directly connected to, orassociated with, the handpiece 14, so that surgical personnel candirectly control a supply of fluid.

[0022] Recent enhancements to powered handpiece designs have envisioneduse of a liquid for cooling the powered handpiece 14 during use. In thisregard, and in one preferred embodiment, the control system 10 furtherincludes a cooling liquid supply source 40. As with the fluid irrigationsupply source 30, described above, the cooling liquid supply source 40can be directly connected to the handpiece 14 (e.g., the housing 26) forcooling thereof, or can be directed through, or controlled by, thecontroller 12.

[0023] Use of the control system 10 for controlling the surgicalhandpiece 14 is illustrated generally by the flow diagram of FIG. 2.With additional reference to FIG. 1, one preferred method of using thesystem 10 of the present invention begins at step 50 at which thecontroller 12 detects the presence of the surgical handpiece 14. Forexample, the powered surgical handpiece 14 can include a cord assembly24 (not shown) terminating in a connector plug (not shown) that isotherwise connectable to a receiving port or socket (not shown)electrically connected to the controller 12. An example of an acceptableconnection is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,117, the teachings ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. Alternative connectionsystems known in the art are equally acceptable, so long as thecontroller 12 is able to determine whether the surgical personnel haveinitiated a surgical procedure by selecting and connecting the handpiece14. If, at step 50, the controller 12 does not defect the handpiece 14,operations do not continue.

[0024] Assuming the handpiece is properly connected, at step 52, thecontroller 12 determines whether the micro-cutting instrument 22 hasbeen coupled to the handpiece 14, and the type of instrument. In thisregard, the powered handpiece 14 can be configured to provide thecontroller 12 with a signal indicative of mounting of the micro-cuttinginstrument 22. Alternatively, surgical personnel may inform thecontroller 12 of the presence of the micro-cutting instrument 22 via thedata entry device 16. In this regard, the controller 12 can receiveinformation, either directly from the surgical handpiece 14 or fromsurgical personnel via the data entry device 16, indicative of the exactform the micro-cutting instrument 22. Alternatively, however, the system10 does not require confirmation of the specific form of themicro-cutting instrument 22 to continue.

[0025] At step 54, the controller 12 generates information andoperational characteristics associated with the particular surgicalprocedure to be performed. As described below, in a preferredembodiment, the controller 12 requests, via the display screen 18,surgical personnel to enter the particular procedure to be performed.For example, the surgical personnel can select, via the data entrydevice 16, a general anatomical location for the operation from a listgenerated by the controller 12 at the display screen 18. Additionally,or alternatively, the surgical personal can select a specific surgicalprocedures and corresponding anatomical location from a list generatedby the controller 12 at the display screen 18. Even further, thecontroller 12 can have previously stored surgical procedure informationthat corresponds with the particular micro-cutting instrument 22 and/orthe particular handpiece 14 otherwise connected to the controller 12.With this configuration, the controller 12 selects appropriateprocedural information from this database based upon the detected orsensed handpiece 14/micro-cutting instrument 22 information.

[0026] At step 56, the controller 12 causes the display screen 18 todisplay preferred operational settings based upon the generated surgicalprocedure information. For example, and as described below, thecontroller 12 signals the display screen 18 to display the preferredhandpiece operational speed, the rotational mode, the fluid irrigationflow rate, and information identifying the surgical procedure for whichthe preferred settings relate. Upon reviewing the displayed information,the surgical personnel can confirm that the desired surgical procedurehas been selected and can confirm the preferred operational settings. Asa result, the surgical personnel are no longer required to separatelyinvestigate suggested settings, and, in one preferred embodiment, canrely upon the displayed values as default settings for the system 10.

[0027] At step 58, the controller 12 allows for operation of the poweredsurgical handpiece 14. For example, the surgeon can deploy themicro-cutting instrument 22 to the target site and initiate activationof the powered handpiece 14, for example via the speed controller 20. Inresponse, and assuming that all previous steps have been properlyperformed, the controller 12 energizes the powered handpiece 14 suchthat the surgeon can complete the desired surgical procedure. In apreferred embodiment, the controller further activates and controlsfluid flow from the irrigation fluid supply source 30 and the coolingfluid supply source 40 in accordance with desired operationalparameters. As a point of reference, one example of controlled poweringof a surgical handpiece is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,117, theteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should beunderstood, however, that a wide variety of other techniques forsignaling, operating, and controlling a powered surgical handpiece,fluid sources, etc. via a controller are known in the art and areequally acceptable.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the controller 12 allows the surgeon(not shown) to control the speed of the powered surgical handpiece 14via the speed controller 20. As previously described, the speedcontroller 20 is preferably a foot switch that is highly convenient fora surgeon's use. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 12 isconfigured to prevent operation of the handpiece 14 at speeds that wouldbe inappropriate for the procedure being performed. For example, thecontroller can be provided with a lower limit and an upper limit speedvalue database specific to particular surgical procedures. When thesurgeon attempts to operate the handpiece 14, for example, via the speedcontroller 20, above or below the limit values, the control system 12prevents the handpiece 14 from being so-operated, for example by notsignaling or otherwise energizing the handpiece 14 above or below thelimiting values.

[0029] Alternatively, the control system 10 can be configured to allowoperation of the powered handpiece 14 above or below the pre-setlimiting values, but provides the surgical personnel with a warning. Forexample, as shown by the flow diagram of FIG. 3, at step 70, thecontroller 12 determines whether the particular configuration of thehandpiece 14 and the micro-cutting instrument 22 has a prescribed orpreferred speed limit or range. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, thecontroller 12 includes a speed limit database containing limiting valuesfor a micro-resector cutting instrument and a high-speed micro-drillinginstrument. At step 72, the controller 12 determines that amicro-resecting instrument is being utilized as the micro-cuttinginstrument 22 and determines whether the surgeon is attempting tooperate the powered handpiece 14 at speeds in excess of a pre-set value,for example, 6,000 rpm. If, at step 72, it is determined that thesurgeon is not attempting to operate the handpiece 14 in excess of thepreset value (or “no” at step 72), the method returns to step 70, and nowarning is displayed.

[0030] Alternatively, if at step 72, the controller 12 determines thatthe surgeon is attempting to operate the powered handpiece 14 at speedsin excess of the preset limit, the method proceeds to step 74. A similarmethodology is followed at step 76 relating to use of a high-speedmicro-drill having a different present limit, for example 52,000 rpm.

[0031] Regardless, if the controller 12 determines, either at step 72 orstep 76, that the surgeon is attempting to operate the handpiece 14 at aspeed outside of the predetermined range, at step 74 the controller 12causes the display screen 18 to display a warning to the surgicalpersonnel, prevents the powered handpiece 14 from being operated at therequested speed (that is otherwise outside of the predetermined range)and requests information from the surgical personnel. For example, thewarning associated with step 74 can indicate to the surgical personnelthat a different micro-cutting instrument is better suited for thedesired speed. Alternatively, other warnings can be provided.

[0032] If, at step 74, the surgical personnel chooses to not exceed thepreselected speed range (“exit” at step 74), operation of the handpiece14, via the controller 12 continues but at a level within thepredetermined range, or the procedure can be stopped entirely so that amore appropriate micro-cutting instrument can be used. Alternatively, ifthe surgical personnel determines that the particular micro-cuttinginstrument 22 and the desired, non-conforming speed is appropriate(“continue” at step 74), the controller 12 proceeds to step 78 at whichthe controller 12 energizes the surgical handpiece 14 to the requestedlevel.

[0033] One specific method of using the system 10 of the presentinvention is shown by the flow diagram of FIG. 4. Beginning at step 90,the controller 12 causes the display screen to display defaultinformation (for example, as described at step 54 in FIG. 2). At step92, the controller 12 causes the display screen 18 to requestinformation from the surgical personnel as to the specific form of themicro-cutting instrument 22. Alternatively, and as previously described,the powered handpiece 14 can be configured to directly signal thisinformation to the controller 12. Once the type of cutting instrument isdetermined, the controller 12 determines whether its associated memoryincludes database information related to the micro-cutting instrument22. If, at step 92, the controller 12 does not recognize the cuttinginstrument 22 (“no” at step 92), the control system 10 proceeds to step94, and is unable to provide options to the surgical personnel.Conversely, where the controller 12 does recognize the particularcutting instrument 22, the control system 10 proceeds to step 96. By wayof reference, the example provided in FIG. 4 relates to a micro-resectorinstrument.

[0034] At step 96, the controller 12 causes the display screen 18 todisplay a listing of anatomical regions or procedures for which theselected cutting instrument 22 is particularly adapted. For example,with respect to the micro-resector example of FIG. 4, the controller 12will the cause the display screen 18 to display a listing of fouranatomical regions including “sinus,” “plastics” (or plastic surgery),“laryngeal,” and “adenoid”. In response, the surgical personnel selectone of the listed procedures or anatomical regions via the data entrydevice 16.

[0035] Depending upon the selection made at step 96, the method proceedsto one of steps 98 (corresponding to “laryngeal” selection), step 100(corresponding with “sinus” selection), step 102 (corresponding with“plastics” selection), or step 104 (corresponding with “adenoid”selection).

[0036] Assuming, for example, that laryngeal is selected, and thus thatthe method has proceeded to step 98, the controller 12 causes thedisplay screen 18 to display additional procedural requests. Forexample, a listing of “tricut” and “skimmer” can be displayed. Inresponse, the surgical personnel must select, via the data entry device16, one of the displayed procedures.

[0037] Assuming, for example, that the surgical personnel selects“tricut” at step 98, the method proceeds to step 106 at which thecontroller 12 causes the display screen 18 to display preferredoperational parameters associated with the selected procedure. Forexample, and as shown in the FIG. 5, at step 106 the display screen 18displays a preferred rotational speed (i.e., 1,200 rpm), the selectedsurgical procedure (i.e., laryngeal tricut), the operational mode (i.e.,oscillate), and the irrigation settings (i.e., 40%). Based upon thisdisplay, then, the surgical personnel can easily and clearly identifythe preferred operational parameters, and can confirm that theinformation corresponds with the desired procedure. Similar displays areprovided for other specifically selected procedures (i.e., indicatedgeneral at steps 104 and 108-120). Obviously, the displays illustratedin FIG. 5 are but a few examples of acceptable formatting andinformation.

[0038] An additional operational feature or method associated with thecontrol system 10 of the present invention is provided in FIG. 5,whereby the controller 12 confirms preferred operation of the speedcontroller 20 in either normal, such as “Start/Stop,” or variable mode.

[0039] In one alternative embodiment, the control system 10 isconfigured for use with an image guidance system. Image guidance systemsare well known in the art, and rely upon stereotactic techniques toassist surgeons in performing operations in or near the head. Oneexample of an acceptable image guidance system is available under thetrade name LandmarX from Medtronic-Xomed of Jacksonville, Fla.Regardless of the exact configuration, the image guidance systemincludes a high-definition screen that displays the patient's internalanatomy along with a relative position of the particular instrumentbeing employed as part of the surgical procedure. Due to the highlydelicate nature of these procedures, the surgeon is required toconstantly view the image guidance system display screen. With this inmind, and in the alternative embodiment, the control system 10 isconfigured such that the controller 12 is directly connected to theimage guidance system display screen. Any display generated by thecontroller 12 relating to operational parameters of the surgicalhandpiece 14 are offset from or otherwise positioned so as to notinterfere with viewing of the image guidance system display. However, byproviding the operational parameters display as part of, or immediatelyadjacent to, the image guidance system display, the surgeon can checkthe operating conditions for the handpiece continuously as the device isoperating without diverting his or her attention away from the screenotherwise showing the position of the tool relative to the patient'sanatomy.

[0040] The powered surgical handpiece control system and related methodof the present invention provides a marked improvement over previousdesigns. In particular, regardless of the exact surgical procedure andrelated micro-cutting instrument, the surgical personnel are immediatelyprovided with preferred operational parameters. The control systempreferably prevents the surgeon from inadvertently deviating from thegenerated operational parameters, and provides a simple user interfacespecific to ENT/head/neck procedures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor control system for a powered surgicalhandpiece capable of powering various micro-cutting instruments, thesystem comprising: a controller adapted for controlling/interfacing witha powered surgical handpiece based upon user-defined proceduralinformation; and a data entry device for entering the user-definedprocedural information used by the controller for configuring andoperating the motor control system.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe motor control system is configured to be used with an image guidancesystem.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:a display screenfor displaying information as prompted by the controller; and a speedcontroller for communicating with the controller to initiate activationof the powered surgical handpiece.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is adapted to detect the presence of the powered surgicalhandpiece.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is adaptedto receive the user-defined procedural information from the data entrydevice via an electronic connection.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe controller is adapted to determine whether a micro-cuttinginstrument is coupled to the powered surgical handpiece, and furtherwherein the controller is adapted to identify the type of micro-cuttinginstrument coupled to the powered surgical handpiece.
 7. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the controller is adapted to generate a list at thedisplay screen to provide surgical procedure information; and furtherwherein the controller stores the surgical procedure informationcorresponding to general anatomical locations, micro-cutting instrumentsand the powered surgical handpiece in a database and selects appropriatesurgical procedure information from the database to display on thedisplay screen.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data entry deviceis adapted to receive the user-defined procedural information and selecta default value for operation of the powered surgical handpiece.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the controller is adapted to interpret theprocedural information entered by the user via the data entry device anddisplay operational information via the display screen in response tothe information entered by the user.
 10. The system of claim 8, whereinthe controller is adapted to interpret the user-defined proceduralinformation and request additional information from the user via thedisplay screen to determine the system configuration, and furtherwherein the controller is adapted to energize the handpiece according tothe user-defined procedural information entered by the user.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the powered surgical handpiece is defined toinclude a motor, a housing and a tubing.
 12. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a control console maintaining the data entry deviceand the display screen.
 13. A surgical micro-cutting system, comprising:a surgical micro-cutting instrument for performing diverse cuttingfunctions; a powered surgical handpiece configured to receive and drivethe surgical micro-cutting instrument; and a controller that operatesthe surgical micro-cutting system according to user-defined proceduralinformation.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller isadapted to determine whether the surgical micro-cutting instrument iscoupled to the powered surgical handpiece, and further wherein thecontroller is adapted to identify a type of surgical micro-cuttinginstrument coupled to the powered surgical handpiece.
 15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the controller is adapted to generate a list at adisplay screen to provide surgical procedure information; and furtherwherein the controller stores the surgical procedure informationcorresponding to general anatomical locations, surgical micro-cuttinginstruments and the powered surgical handpiece in a database and selectsappropriate surgical procedure information from the database to displayon the display screen.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the surgicalmicro-cutting instrument is selected from the group consisting of amicro-resecting instrument, a micro-drilling instrument, and amicro-abrasion instrument.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein thecontroller includes a separate irrigation fluid source and a pump, andfurther wherein the controller is adapted to control activation and aflow rate of a fluid supplied by the separate irrigation fluid source toa target site via the pump.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein thecontroller activates the pump that directs an irrigation fluid to thetarget site.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the surgical handpieceis fluidly connected to the separate irrigation fluid source to allow auser to directly control an activation of and a flow rate of theirrigation fluid.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller isdefined to include a cooling liquid supply source.
 21. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the cooling liquid supply source is fluidly connectedto the powered surgical handpiece.
 22. A method of controlling a poweredsurgical handpiece, the method comprising: providing a system includinga controller, a control console and a powered surgical handpiece capableof powering a micro-cutting instrument; detecting whether the poweredsurgical handpiece is connected to the controller; operating thecontroller to determine whether the micro-cutting instrument has beencoupled to the powered surgical handpiece; generating information andoperational characteristics associated with user-defined proceduralinformation entered by a user via the control console; displayingpreferred operational settings based upon the generated information andoperational characteristics; and powering the powered surgical handpieceaccording to the operational characteristics associated with theuser-defined procedural information.
 23. The method of claim 22, whereindetecting the presence of the powered surgical handpiece includesproviding an electrical connection between the powered surgicalhandpiece and the controller.
 24. The method of claim 22, whereindetecting the presence of the powered surgical handpiece includesterminating operation of the powered surgical handpiece if the poweredsurgical handpiece is not detected.
 25. The method of claim 22, whereindetermining if the micro-cutting instrument has been coupled to thepowered surgical handpiece includes identifying a type of micro-cuttinginstrument coupled to the powered surgical handpiece.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein identifying the type of micro-cutting instrumentcoupled to the powered surgical handpiece includes configuring themicro-cutting instrument with a signal indicative of mounting themicro-cutting instrument.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereincontrolling the powered surgical handpiece includes operating thecontroller to recognize the signal indicative of mounting themicro-cutting instrument in the powered surgical handpiece andcontrolling the powered surgical handpiece according to the type ofmicro-cutting instrument mounted in the powered surgical handpiece. 28.The method of claim 25, wherein identifying the type of micro-cuttinginstrument coupled to the powered surgical handpiece includes a userentering the type of micro-cutting instrument via the control console.29. The method of claim 22, wherein generating information andoperational characteristics associated with the user-defined proceduralinformation entered by the user includes the controller requesting anentry of the user-defined procedural information via the controlconsole.
 30. The method of claim 22, wherein generating information andoperational characteristics associated with the user-defined proceduralinformation includes selecting at least one of a micro-cuttinginstrument to be used, and further wherein selecting at least one of themicro-cutting instrument to be used includes the controller generating alist at the control console.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein theuser entering the user-defined procedural information via the controlconsole includes selecting at least one of a general anatomical locationfor the operation, and further wherein selecting at least one of thegeneral anatomical location for the operation includes the controllergenerating a list at a display screen of the control console.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein generating a list at the control consoledisplaying at least one of a preferred rotational speed, a selectedsurgical procedure, an operational mode and an irrigation setting. 33.The method of claim 31, wherein the general anatomical location includessinus, plastics, laryngeal, and adenoid listings.
 34. The method ofclaim 31, wherein generating a list at the control console includesstoring surgical procedure information in the controller correspondingto general anatomical locations, micro-cutting instruments and thepowered surgical handpiece, and further wherein selecting at least oneof the general anatomical locations and the micro-cutting instrumentsincludes the controller selecting appropriate surgical procedureinformation from a database.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein thecontroller selecting appropriate surgical procedure information from thedatabase based on the user-defined procedural information includesentering database information into the controller.
 36. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the controller selecting the appropriate surgicalprocedure information includes a user reviewing and confirming thesurgical procedure information and preferred operational settings viathe singular control console.
 37. The method of claim 22, whereingenerating information and operational characteristics includes thecontroller signaling the control console to display the surgicalprocedure information and the operational settings.
 38. The method ofclaim 37, wherein displaying the operational settings includesdisplaying at least one of a preferred handpiece operational speed, arotational mode, a fluid irrigation flow rate, and informationidentifying the surgical procedure to be performed.
 39. The method ofclaim 22, wherein powering the powered surgical handpiece according tothe operational characteristics associated with the surgical procedureincludes the controller energizing the powered surgical handpiece. 40.The method of claim 39, wherein the controller energizing the poweredsurgical handpiece includes a user initiating activation via a speedcontroller, which interacts with the controller via an electricalconnection.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the controllerenergizing the powered surgical handpiece includes the controllerconfirming a preferred operation of the speed controller in either anormal mode or a variable mode.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein thecontroller energizing the powered surgical handpiece includes thecontroller activating and controlling an irrigation fluid supply sourcewithin desired operational parameters.
 43. The method of claim 39,wherein the controller energizing the powered surgical handpieceincludes the controller activating and controlling a cooling fluidsupply source.
 44. The method of claim 22, wherein powering the poweredsurgical handpiece includes configuring the controller to limitoperation of the powered surgical handpiece to a prescribed speed range.45. The method of claim 22, wherein powering the powered surgicalhandpiece includes the controller allowing the user to change theprescribed speed range when necessary.
 46. The method of claim 45,wherein allowing the user to change the prescribed speeds includes thecontroller displaying a warning via the display screen when there is anattempt to operate the powered surgical handpiece at a speed outside theprescribed speed range.
 47. The method of claim 44, wherein configuringthe controller to limit operation of the powered surgical handpiece atthe prescribed speed range includes determining whether a particularconfiguration of the powered surgical handpiece and the micro-cuttinginstrument has the prescribed speed range.
 48. The method of claim 44,wherein determining whether the particular configuration of the poweredsurgical handpiece and the micro-cutting instrument has the prescribedspeed range, includes adapting the controller to include a speed limitdatabase containing limiting values for micro-cutting instruments.
 49. Acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions forperforming a method of controlling a powered surgical handpiece, themethod comprising: providing a system including a controller, a controlconsole and a powered surgical handpiece capable of powering amicro-cutting instrument; detecting whether the powered surgicalhandpiece is connected to the controller; operating the controller todetermine whether the micro-cutting instrument has been coupled to thepowered surgical handpiece; generating information and operationalcharacteristics associated with user-defined procedural informationentered by a user via the control console; displaying preferredoperational settings based upon the generated information andoperational characteristics associated with the user-defined proceduralinformation; and powering the powered surgical handpiece according tothe operational characteristics.